Take a Shot in the Dark

Can you see your golf swing in your mind while you daydream about playing? As you sleep, do you conjure up vivid images of your body in motion swinging the golf club all night? Better yet, can you almost feel that which you visualize in your mind? Perhaps, this may seem rather odd to you. However, I ask that you think about this notion for a moment. Visualization is an important tool which athletes utilize across the broad spectrum of sports. In fact, successful people in all walks of life tap into its proven power. It can be expressed in a myriad of ways. See it. Become it. See the ball. Be the ball. “Anything the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can be achieved.”-Napolean Hill  I am fairly certain that most of you can remember the best shots you’ve ever hit in your life. As if it were yesterday, and hopefully one such moment did occur during your latest round, you can see the beautiful ball flight produced by a gloriously struck shot. How far did you have to the green on your Golf Channel worthy highlight shot? What club did you select? What were the weather and course conditions? Certainly you know the answers to these questions. Obviously, you know the name of the golf course and the specific hole this shot of a lifetime took place. Perhaps, it was a hole-in-one. But, some of us must resort to actually dreaming of that one fine day when our little dimpled friend finds the cup from the tee. The much desired ace has still alluded me. My older brother has had six or seven. That doesn’t seem fair. Well, golf isn’t meant to be fair. But, I digress. I want you to begin this mental exercise by attempting to see your golf swing in all its splendor in slow-motion mode. At this stage, I am trusting that you are beyond viewing your athletic movement on video. That part of the learning process can be helpful, but your very own mind is a much more powerful, creative, and effective computer. So, let’s turn it on.

If you can see your swing, then you can feel it. Let’s turn the lights off, now. You may literally do this, or perhaps just close your eyes, or even wait until after dark. Inside the house or outdoors, it does not matter in the slightest, you are up to this task. I want you to swing the golf club without the benefit of any light. How can this be of any benefit? Just relax your body and clear your mind of all other thought. Focus on feeling your very own golf swing. It may be quite “eye-opening” for you to perform this drill. You will see your swing in an entirely new light. Remember, you are in no hurry, here. Your entire being has flipped its slow-motion switch. As this is repeated, you will soon be able to feel the exact sequencing of muscular engagement throughout the entirety of the dynamic swinging movement. As you ponder only these precise feelings, they will start to sink deep into your consciousness. The notion that muscles somehow have the capacity to remember what they have rehearsed is, quite frankly, silly. However, your ability to have total recall will be enhanced by these darkened practice sessions. My desire is for you to have as few thoughts related to your golf swing as possible floating about in that brain of yours. You can have complete command of what your muscles do even under pressure.

So, I encourage you to give this a shot in the dark. It just might help you to realize how effortless it is for you to feel rhythmic and balanced at all times. This normally is not the case, is it? If the power goes off in your house, there might be a brief moment of uncertainty or panic. When the power goes off unexpectedly in your golf swing, I want you to know immediately how to solve the problem. I don’t want you to have to experience the usual assortment of stubbed toes and bumps on the head that accompany your effort to maneuver your way without the benefit of illumination. Patiently practicing with your eyes closed will awaken your senses to the sheer wonder, yet simplicity of the golf swing. Since you’ll never be able to see what you are doing while it’s happening on the links, it is an absolute must that you become intimately acquainted with how your swing feels. This is the only pathway to self-correction that is always available. You will be better equipped to discern the subtle, yet distinct difference between the right and wrong feelings which you experience. Let the darkness become your friend, if only for the purpose of creating a perfect and harmonious link between that which you cannot see (during the course of play) and that which you have felt and will never forget.

If you have never seen yourself hit golf shots on video, I can help you with that. However, I do not wish for you to become obsessed with this technology. I would rather offer assistance as you feel your way toward developing that swing which is uniquely yours.  After all this “feel good” talk, your mind might remain a bit foggy. We shall chat soon, I hope, about how you feel what it is that you are supposed to feel. Until then, don’t be afraid of the dark.

photo credit: Man sleeping via photopin (license)